A scrap at the wrong end of League One wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea but Lewis Young insists he is having the time of his life.

Young has put a miserable 2014 behind him to become one of the key players in Crawley’s remarkable resurgence since the turn of the year.

Having been written off by many as he flitted in and out of the team under John Gregory the 25-year-old winger has become a regular since Dean Saunders took over at the end of December, starting 12 out of 16 games.

Young’s renaissance has mirrored that of the team who have won five out of their last 11 matches to drag themselves out of the relegation zone ahead of today’s clash with Gillingham at the Checkatrade.com Stadium.

The former Yeovil winger is determined to maintain that collective and individual improvement over the next eight games to ensure Crawley remain in League One next season and enhance his prospects of earning a new deal in the summer.

Young said: “By my own admission I didn’t perform as well as I wanted to at the start of the season but since the turn of the year I have been really pleased not just with my own form but that of the team as a whole.

“I’m not sure exactly what the reason is for the change but a lot of things have just clicked. We have got strong competition for places now. Lads that were playing week in week out are now on the bench and when you have that situation it makes you realise you have to perform at your best just to stay in the team.

“Overall it has been a positive season for me. I spent a little bit of time out of the team but I kept my head down and worked hard and it is paying dividends now.

“I would say I have enjoyed this season more than any other during my career and that includes the year I was at Yeovil when we won the play-off final to go up to the Championship.

“The lads and the coaching staff have been brilliant. Even when we had difficult times this season we were never worried that we would be relegated as we had more than enough quality in the squad.

“A lot of people have been shocked by our form recently but we knew we could do it. From where we were to now it has been a massive achievement but that won’t matter if we let our concentration slip.

“We need to reach that magic 52 point mark which the manager has set and then we want to keep pushing on to finish as high as we can in the table.”

Young’s run in the team has come in the unfamiliar position of right-back while filling it for the injured Lanre Oyebanjo. His place could be under threat today after Oyebanjo returned as a late substitute in the 1-0 victory over Leyton Orient last weekend.

Young added: “I played at right-back early in my career but I’ve had to learn it all over again really and Banj has helped me out a lot. I’ve pulled him aside a few times while he’s been injured and asked for tips so he’s been a massive help.

“I’m really enjoying playing at the back but I still see Banj as the best right-back at the club. He will be pushing for his place back but at the end of the day the most important thing is that we get three points today whoever plays.”

Today’s clash will be a family affair for Young with Gillingham likely to feature his brother-in-law Luke Norris while elder brother Ashley, pictured, is due to take advantage of the fact Manchester United do not have a game to experience the Checkatrade.com Stadium for the first time.

“I think Ashley is coming as he’s been badgering me for tickets,” added Young, “He’s popped along to a few of our away matches this season at Port Vale and Bradford but he likes to keep a low profile.

“He’s even come to the hotel before the game to wish us luck and has always been very supportive in my career.

“It is funny because he has been playing at the back for United this season so we have both changed our positions.”